2002 Porsche Boxster Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
I bought a 2000 Boxster S and made certain it was a street use car by checking out past ownership, service records and overall mechanical condition by a Porsche mechanic. I now have absolutely no problems . The car is rock solid and is a blast to do spirited back road driving. Make sure your prospective Boxster is at least a year 2000 on, because the earlier ones had mechanical issues. Have a qualified mechanic check out the car.If it has a short shifter, fire extinguisher, roll bar or a spare set of track wheels-be careful. The car can have very low mileage and be shiny as heck, but it might also have been used mostly for track events and has been subjected to higher continued stresses and wear. Porsche mechanical repairs are expensive. The mid engine design of the Boxster requires additional labor just to access the engine. For example, just to change the spark plugs, the two back wheels must come off, a panel must be opened on each side, etc. I don't mean to scare anybody-once the plugs are changed , they are good for 60,000 smiles. I'm just advising you to be very careful and know what you are getting. Buying a high performance sports car in excellent condition is not easy.
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Critical Review
I wish SOMEONE had told me about HOW BAD this car was BEFORE I bought it! The IMS (Intermediate Shaft Bearing) is a HUGE PROBLEM! My WHOLE ENGINE is TOAST after having this engine part fail! Porsche does NOT stand behind their cars. Porsche KNEW this was a problem and settled a lawsuit for EXACT problem with engine failures! High number of engine failures reported! Car is great when it works but I spent thousands in repairs and THEN HAD the ENGINE FAIL! All those saying, "It won't happen to me!" You're WRONG - IT WILL! It is NOT IF BUT WHEN the engine will fail. Very few Boxster have high mileage on them….why? The car is NOT reliable! It is a piece of junk! I lost my shirt on this car and cared for it better than I treat most people! I would rate it LOWER than 1, but this won't let me. The car was financed and I now have a repossession on my credit….thanks to Porsche! Buy ONE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Don't say you have not been WARNED! The model years for BAD 911s AND 986s is 1997-2004, some problems still existed into 2007….that is how poor Porsche's are made! I wanted one of these MY WHOLE LIFE! Now I FEEL ROBBED! Save yourself! This car is garbage! I would not recommend them to a friend. If you have to have one…good luck! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
2002 Boxster Reviews
Showing 8 of 244 reviews.
Majority parts and midnight dark blue paint color are original. Spent $6,000 to customized leather seats with Porsche seal and vinyl top cover. 25 years awarded with no need for smog test passing, I.e. SAFE Car. I have original record when this was purchased. One tailgate light has cracke ( cost aftermarket $250 to replace. Battery replaced April 2025. Tires maintained and recorded at Discount Tires. Manual and automatic shift. Out of country for 6 months every year keeps it on low mileage. Chips on paint but repairable.original manual and operations booklet available . Change oil , tire replacement etc receipts are available. This car is my 3rd European car with less usage. Ready for a new owner coz I have grandson who needs bigger car.
I put in over 6,000 in repairs and updates She is fun to drive and even better when the top is down.
Like driving a big GO-Cart thats 275HP
Little small for a long trip! I'm pushing 70 so !
I've had my 2001 for 7 years now and its been so much fun! Did converter back with custom flow exhaust and changed air intake and it sounds great. Minor improvement is performance but needed exhaust anyway. Two row bearing is a big plus, mine is one of the last 2001 with it. If you can find 2000-01 in great shape, buy it. For $11,000 you will not ever regret it.
Very economical priced for a Porsche
Potential IMS problems.
I searched for months trying to find the "right" Boxster and with a little luck I found one! 2 owner car with 120k on the clock. Carfax showed it was serviced regularly by Porsche dealers. I knew of the potential IMS issues so I didn't hesitate to go ahead and have it replaced with the Aftermarket oil fed unit. And while it was in service I had the clutch and flywheel replaced as well. No worries going forward. Other than that I drive the HECK out of this car. It handles like a dream. Not the quickest car I've owned but well worth it. I see a lot of negative reviews from other owners who go out and buy one then drive it like they stole it and gripe when something goes wrong. Only advice I can give it not to buy the lowest price car. If your only looking at a cheap buy then you're not the right person to own this car. Enthusiasts know this. Dont be that guy.
Fun car.
None
Fun car to drive. Car is very clean, looks great. Has Porsche cover. Car is in excellent condition. No body work, or mechanical work needed. Car has been garagegd for 3 years. Color is White with Black Top. Has Grey Leather seats. Very handsome seats.
Fun to drive with the top down!
Hard to hear the radio.
Hugs curves nicely. Great gas mileage. Such a smooth ride. Glad my husband got it for me as an anniversary gift!!
Best Porsche Ever
Harder to drive as you get older
All my family members, Friends, neighbors want to buy this car from me will never go out of style fun second car as I have gotten older
Styling, fun-to-drive, fit and finish
None so far
Ever since I was about 14 years old, the object of my automotive lust has been a Porsche 911 turbo. Now, at almost 63 years old, I was finally able to get my Porsche. Not the 911, but a sweet 2001 Boxster S. In 2007 we traded in my wife's 1982 Fiat Spyder that she owned since new, on a 2004 BMW 330xi. No regrets for that. My wife retired last year and we had been talking about getting a fun car again. After a 2008 BMW Z4 deal fell through, I found our Boxster. We drove about 250 miles to buy it at a Subaru dealership in Fairfax, VA. and we live near the Poconos in PA. The car is a 2 owner Porsche with only 59k miles, and with well-documented service and maintenance records. To say we're delighted with it, is an understatement. The ride, handling, comfort are all superb. I'm 5'11" and weigh....well, more than I should, but I fit well into it. Went with the tiptronic more because of my wife driving, but given the right road, it's a blast in the twisties. The chassis is unflappable, it's remarkably well-balanced, with absolutely no cowl shake and sticks to the road like burnt eggs stick to a cast iron frying pan. I've only had it for a couple months, so I really can't comment on the long-term reliability at this point. I was well aware of the IMS issue these cars may have. But, I'm in the automotive business with my dealership for almost 35 years, so I'm familiar with possible consequences of ownership of various makes and models. My research indicates a less than 12% IMS failure rate; I'm ok with those odds. So, I didn't get my 911; I don't need to travel at insane velocities to have fun. This is my first Porsche, and I have owned Mercedes SEls. BMW 3 series X drives, and had nary a problem with them. I'm looking forward to having a long relationship with our Boxster.
